The Jakarta Post, 1/14/2005 6:51:52 PM
Roman Catholic priest killed in Purworejo
MAGELANG, Central Java (Agencies): Father Thomas Harsidiyono, a 50-year-old
Roman Catholic priest was murdered in the town of Purworejo in Central Java province
on Friday, Antara reported.
The priest suffered a massive head wound when he was attacked in the compound of
a Catholic retreat, according to the report.
Provincial police chief Chairul Rasyid said the motive for the killing, which follows a
string of sectarian attacks on Christians in the world's largest Muslim-populated
country, was "probably" robbery.
"I see this case as purely criminal," he said.
Hariyanti, an official of the Holy Mother of Mary Church where Harsidiyono had served,
described him as "a saint, a good man."
"He had no enemies. No threats have been made to this church prior to his death.
We're still baffled by his death," she told AFP.
The priest's body is to be buried in Kaliori, Banyumas regency, on Saturday. (**)
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